# Big Smokey Hot Spring, Idaho

Big Smokey Hot Spring in Idaho. Hot. Hike · Public Land. Camas County.

- Page: https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/big-smokey-hot-spring
- Source: Soaking Springs, researched and maintained by Armen Suny
- Updated: 2026-09-14

## Can you soak at Big Smokey Hot Spring?

Yes. Big Smokey Hot Spring has natural, undeveloped pools that run at 102°F. Soaking is free. It's open Jun-Oct. Reaching it takes a hike.

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Source water temperature | Hot (USGS record; developed pools are often cooled) |
| Elevation | 6,320 ft |
| Access | Hike · Public Land, 4.2 mi from the nearest road (Baker Creek Road) |
| Land | Sawtooth National Forest, US Forest Service |
| County | Camas County |
| Nearest town | Fairfield |
| Coordinates | 43.70100, -114.73800 |
| Nearest campground | Bowns Campground, 9.7 mi |

## Plan your visit

| | |
|---|---|
| Type | Primitive pools |
| Cost | Free |
| Season | Jun-Oct |
| Reservations | Not needed |
| Pool temperature | 102°F |
| Clothing | Clothing optional |
| Getting there | about 4 mi one way (8 mi round trip) from Baker Creek Road area, moderate, creek crossings; rough FR 227 |
| In winter | roads snowed in |
| Operator | US Forest Service (Sawtooth National Forest) |

Checked October 2026. Sources: https://www.hotspringsguides.com/hot-springs/big-smokey-hot-spring-idaho

## About Big Smokey Hot Spring

A hike-in thermal point in the Sawtooth National Forest, Camas County, Idaho, Big Smokey Hot Spring lies about twenty-five miles from Fairfield. It is recorded as hot without a temperature figure, so the heat is unquantified. Access is open. The walk from Baker Creek Road is a little over four miles. Bowns Campground, the listed camping, is close to ten miles off.

Over six thousand feet, in country where the winter snow total passes twelve feet. Average temperatures are cold. The approach is a four-mile hike on national forest land, one way, from Baker Creek Road. No designation beyond national forest. A USGS site number exists; no water sample does.

No season ranking, because no temperature. Twelve feet of snow makes the walk a summer question. Bowns is the campground the record gives, some distance from the spring. The source calls the water hot. Until your hand says otherwise, assume it can burn. Open access, Forest Service rules.

## Nearby

- Nearest city page: [Hot springs near Hailey](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/near/idaho/hailey), 19 mi away
- State page: [Hot springs in Idaho](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho)
- [Skillern Hot Springs, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/skillern-hot-springs): 140°F source, pH 9.4, Hike, near Fairfield, Camas County, primitive pools, pools 100–106°F, may–oct
- [Preis Hot Spring, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/preis-hot-spring): 106°F source, pH 9.6, Roadside, near Fairfield, Camas County, primitive pools, pools 102°F, free, may-oct
- [Worswick Hot Springs, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/worswick-hot-springs): 180°F source, pH 9.0, Short Walk, near Fairfield, Camas County, primitive pools, free, jul–oct
- [Russian John Hot Spring, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/russian-john-hot-spring): 100°F source, pH 9.2, Roadside, near Ketchum, Blaine County, primitive pools, pools 86–105°F, free, year-round
- [Easley Hot Springs, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/easley-hot-springs): 100°F source, pH 9.6, Roadside, near Ketchum, Blaine County, developed pools, $14 day pass
- [Lightfoot Hot Springs, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/lightfoot-hot-springs): 133°F source, pH 8.8, Short Walk, near Fairfield, Camas County, primitive pools, may–oct

## Questions

**What is the water temperature at Big Smokey Hot Spring?**
Big Smokey Hot Spring is classified as hot. An exact temperature measurement has not been recorded.

**Where is Big Smokey Hot Spring located?**
Big Smokey Hot Spring is located in Camas County, Idaho at 6,320 feet elevation, near Fairfield. Coordinates: 43.7010°N, 114.7380°W.

**How do I get to Big Smokey Hot Spring?**
Big Smokey Hot Spring has Hike road access, with the nearest road being Baker Creek Road (4.2 mi from the road).

**Is Big Smokey Hot Spring free to visit?**
Big Smokey Hot Spring has Open access. It is managed by US Forest Service.

**Can I camp near Big Smokey Hot Spring?**
Yes, Bowns Campground is located nearby (9.7 miles away).

## Sources

- USGS thermal springs records, Water Quality Portal lab analyses, OpenStreetMap, Wikipedia/Wikidata, NOAA climate normals